A year ago, UCLA threw together four question marks to form a secondary.

Safety Anthony Jefferson spent his first two seasons at UCLA in the training room with foot and back issues. Cornerback Ishmael Adams was coming back from shoulder surgery. Fabien Moreau had played defense only one season. Randall Goforth, the veteran of the group, had started five games in 2012.

"Maturity is a big thing," Adams said. "That comes from experience. We know what we're going to see in games. We know how a season goes. We're mentally prepared for that."

The group held its own last season. Adams intercepted four passes, Goforth three and Jefferson two. Moreau steadily developed into a lock-down corner. The Bruins finished a respectable 40th nationally in passing yards allowed.

That, in past seasons, would be reason for widespread panic — as well as deep-seated concern for quarterback Brett Hundley's health. But the Bruins have reached the point where they can absorb such losses.

Line coach Adrian Klemm thought back two years, when he arrived in Westwood, and said, "It's totally different now."

A heavy emphasis on recruiting linemen, plus the transfer of tackle Malcolm Bunch from Miami, has improved what was a chaotic situation three seasons ago.

What Klemm likes most about the situation is the competition,.

"It gets guys energized," Klemm said. "If a guy finds out he's not starting, he's upset about it and works a little harder. The guy ahead of him works harder because he knows someone is going to take his position."

Quick hits

UCLA and Virginia have never played in football. They had two common opponents in 2013. Virginia lost to Oregon, 59-10, and to Virginia Tech, 16-6. UCLA lost to Oregon, 42-14, and defeated Virginia Tech, 42-12. … The Bruins are likely to use two punters in the opener, Matt Mengel, a transfer from Long Beach City College, and Adam Searl, a walk-on who was on the team last season. … UCLA sold out its allotment of 1,800 tickets for the Virginia game and asked for another 100, which also were sold.

UCLA Coach Jim Mora classifies himself as a “bit of a micromanager,” which is true in the same way that a hurricane could be classified as a “bit of a thunderstorm.” His coaching style is to have a handle on everything.

When offensive line coach Adrian Klemm recruits players, he looks for offensive tackles, mostly because the best offensive lineman often play tackle in high school. The philosophy is simple enough, but it also allows Klemm to shift those players around once they get to UCLA. It’s a lot...